Mike Groll / APSenate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr., D-Bronx, speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Albany on Tuesday. State senators are calling for Espada to step down from his position as majority leader in the wake of an investigation by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo into accusations Espada siphoned $14 million from his Bronx clinic that has received state grants.
Syracuse, NY -- Sen. Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, Thursday joined Sen. David Valesky and a growing number of lawmakers to call for Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. to step down as Senate majority leader because Espada is being investigated for shady political and business activities.
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“The allegations being made and the ongoing investigations are certainly of concern to the senator, and he does believe it would be in the best interest of the state of New York if Sen. Espada did give up his title of Majority Leader," Aubertine spokesman Drew Mangione said.

“The allegations from the attorney general and the IRS are very serious, and I believe that as a result of these issues, Sen. Espada should resign his leadership position in the Senate as soon as possible,” said Valesky, D-Oneida, the highest ranking Upstate legislator in the Senate.

Valesky said Espada is not in a position to lead the Democratic conference, but he stopped short of calling on Espada to step down from the Senate completely. Valesky said that would be premature since Espada has not been charged criminally or convicted. “It’s important to allow the legal process to play out,” said Valesky, the Senate’s vice president pro tempore.

Only Senate President Malcolm Smith can strip Espada of his leadership role because it is an appointed position. “I did share my feelings with Sen. Smith,” Valesky said. “He listened intently.”

Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Senate Democratic Conference, would not say if Smith was considering asking Espada to step down. “These are serious allegations which merit a full and fair review by the proper authorities as quickly as possible,” Shafran said.

A call to Espada was not returned.

Andrew Russo, a Republican who is challenging Valesky for the 49th Senate District seat, sent Valesky a letter Tuesday asking him to call on Espada to resign as majority leader. Thursday, Russo blasted Valesky for waiting two days before acting.

“I’d be way out in front on this, especially as a leader of the conference, which (Valesky) apparently is,” Russo said. “Leadership is not waiting to find out what happens politically before you take a stance.”